The world around him seemed to fade as Lucian stared at the glowing window in front of him.

  [Mission Updated]

  [Mission: Die]

  [Clear Conditions: Lucian's death]

  [Rewards: ???]

  "What...?" His voice was barely a whisper, his breath catching in his throat.

  Die?

  What kind of mission is this?

  The words glared back at him, unchanging, unmoving, and utterly indifferent to his shock.

  What do you mean, die?

  Are you kidding me?

  Lucian gritted his teeth, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of information he'd gathered so far.

  The system's behavior had never been consistent, but this?

  This felt like mockery.

  Why? It doesn't make any sense.

  Is this the Administrator's doing?

  No... their mission was something about returning.

  Until it was overwritten.

  His thoughts churned like a storm. He replayed the sequence of events, the strange glitches, the overwritten commands, and the entities he'd sensed but couldn't name.

  If it's the System—the one that offers life extensions—it wouldn't make sense either.

  Lucian froze. His eyes narrowed.

  That third force... the one that overrode the system during the monster attack... the one that unlocked the Authority.

  The Hacker.

  He clenched his fists.

  They saved me before.

  They even broke the rules to keep me alive.

  Why would they suddenly want me dead?

  *

  *

  *

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  Unless... there's a fourth entity involved?

  The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

  There's no concrete evidence, only the fragments of data and cryptic warnings left behind in the system's wake.

  It was like playing a game without knowing the rules—or the players.

  Did I do something wrong?

  No. The system's first rule had been clear since the moment he was revived:

  Fulfill the missions to survive.

  Lucian exhaled slowly.

  And so far, there's nothing that suggests otherwise.

  But this mission... this was different.

  Do I have to die to survive?

  He glanced at the timer in the corner of his vision:

  [Life Extension Left: 6 months]

  Six months.

  That was all he had.

  If he failed to extend it before the time ran out, he'd die anyway.

  And now, the system was demanding his death.

  The corners of his mouth twitched in a bitter smile.

  Of course.

  Why not make it even more complicated?

  The glow of the system window dimmed slightly, as if waiting for his response.

  Sigh. Fine.

  I'll do as you wish.

  But you'd better make the rewards worthwhile.

  And since I'm going to die anyway, don't mind me going out in a bang.

  "Are you done? Is something wrong?" Theo's voice cut through the silence like a blade, his tone sharp with concern.

  Lucian blinked and turned to face him.

  Theo's eyes were piercing, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as if ready to fight off whatever had frozen Lucian in place.

  "I'm fine," Lucian said as he rose up, his voice calm despite the turmoil inside. "I was just... thinking."

  Theo raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.

  Lucian straightened his robes, forcing himself to focus. "Let's head back. The children are waiting for us."

  Theo nodded, though his gaze lingered on Lucian for a moment longer than necessary.

  The three walked out of the abandoned village, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence of the ruined streets.

  The faint smell of blood lingered, a grim reminder of the attack that had left the place desolate.

  As they neared the walls, Lucian broke the silence. "You know, this place doesn't feel like a village at all. Isn't it more appropriate to call it a castle?"

  Leo nodded, glancing back at the crumbling walls. "That's because it was a castle. The Kraina family used to be the Margraves tasked with defending the empire's border from monster attacks. This was one of their old defensive strongholds."

  "Used to be?" Lucian asked.

  "The mana in the rift gradually weakened over the centuries. The monsters grew weaker, and the cursed zone shrank."

  "With the frontline no longer as critical, the Kraina family lost their importance. The emperor eventually demoted them to counts, and the castle fell into disuse," Leo explained.

  Theo picked up the thread, his voice low. "Without a major threat, neither the empire nor the church saw the need to defend this area anymore. And with the Vow of non-aggression between the Archon beyond the rift and our God, the borderlands became a convenient dumping ground."

  Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Dumping ground?"

  "For criminals, dissidents, heretics—anyone the church wanted to get rid of but can't execute publicly. They exiled them here, right at the edge of the cursed lands," Theo said bitterly, his gaze falling on Lucian.

  Lucian smirked grimly. "Ah, I see. Too cowardly to kill them outright, so they send them here as fodder for monsters."

  Leo's jaw tightened. "And the count's job? Making sure none of them ever leave."

  Lucian paused, his voice quieter. "Am I also... one of those exiles?"

  Theo hesitated, his eyes flicking away.

  Lucian turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Theo, you asked me once if I was okay with the way this world works. Now I'll ask you—are you okay with it?"

  Theo didn't respond immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy. "I was..."

  "Until some idealistic fool decided to give the entire Curia his middle finger, getting himself exiled for it." he smirked softly at Lucian, reminiscent.

  Is he perhaps talking about me?

  No, the old Lucian?

  "Well, that was brave of him," Lucian said, smirking.

  "I strongly disagree. He's definitely not brave. Just a reckless idiot. Though it was quite a sight. The pope collapsing in rage." Theo shot back, shaking his head.

  "But... I'd be lying if I said it wasn't inspiring." he continued.

  Lucian's smirk widened. "Want to see the pope collapse again?"

  "Don't even think about it," Theo replied, though there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

  Lucian turned his eyes to the crumbling structure. "This castle… I want it. Why don't we all move here?"

  Leo frowned. "We can't. The stonework might look sturdy, but it's been neglected for so long. The plaster holding the stones together is crumbling to dust. One good shake, and this whole place would come down like a house of cards."

  Lucian tapped his chin thoughtfully. "So the plaster's the problem, but the stones are fine, right?"

  Leo's expression darkened as he sensed Lucian's brewing plan.

  "No. Don't even think about it."

  "We'll quarry the stones and use them to build our own fortress," Lucian declared.

  "What? That's insane!" Theo exclaimed.

  "It's completely doable. We have two superhumans on our side," Lucian said, gesturing to Theo and Leo.

  Theo sighed, rubbing his temple. "Even without your memories, you're as reckless as ever. But why build a fortress?"

  Lucian's voice turned serious, his gaze steely. "Because I'm going to overthrow the count."

  Theo froze, his eyes wide. "You're serious."

  "I am. The people here deserve better," Lucian replied firmly.

  Theo studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Then this time, I'll be by your side."

  Lucian raised an eyebrow. "As an enemy?"

  "Ouch. And here I thought we were getting closer these past few weeks," Theo said with mock offense. Then his tone softened. "No. I won't allow you to walk alone again. I'll follow you, Lucian. Wherever this path leads."

  Lucian smiled. "That's reassuring. What about you, Leo?"

  Leo crossed his arms, smirking. "I'll just pretend that I didn't hear your treasonous remarks."

  Lucian raised his brows, already thinking of how to convince Leo.

  The three continued their journey back, the ruins of the past fading into the distance as they walked toward a future of rebellion and uncertain future.